Optimizing Your Content for Voice Search in 2019

12/02/2019

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Last updated on February 12, 2019 at 05:34 pm

As the SEO industry continues to diversify, the future of search will lead to the rise mobile, visual, and voice as primary platforms for search queries. Along with more opportunities to rank, there are also new challenges when it comes to optimizing your content and keywords.

Voice search, in particular, has been becoming more popular and widespread out of the aforementioned search platforms, with the likes of Google Assistant, Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa allowing users to be able to perform voice search queries, along with various commands that allow you to perform a myriad of actions with just your voice. The ability to recognize a wide variety of commands and words allows voice search to become more effective and accurate.

Google’s voice search, in particular, has perhaps been the best voice search platform around providing the most accurate search results thanks to its ability to recognize the voice, which is one element that has been optimized continuously to provide the best results. Voice search provides different opportunities for users to access content and optimizing it to gain traffic for that area would bode well for your rankings. Here are some strategies that would help you optimize your content for voice search.

Start with mobile optimization

First things first, before optimizing your content to cater to voice search queries, making sure that your website is compatible for mobile should be your first priority. Users might be able to search for your site using voice, but if they see a website that doesn’t work properly on their mobile devices, then you are in bigger trouble.

User experience is one of the ranking factors to take into account, as it helps makes navigation easier, while providing a presentable and organized layout. Applying AMP or Responsive Design irons out this issue and allows you to focus more on finding the best voice search queries for your content. More users are relying on mobile search, and having a mobile-friendly site could make a big difference.

Aim for Featured Snippets and Knowledge Graphs

Featured Snippets and Knowledge Graphs are two places you would want your web pages to show up, as users would see it as the more authoritative source. When it comes to voice search queries, Google Assistant tends to look at these web pages often, especially with question-based queries in mind.

For example, I asked Google Assistant how do I change a car tire, and the top result contained a handy knowledge graph that contained steps on how to do it. I tried asking for random things, such as information about the Maldives, and how to fix a broken hard drive, with the latter showing a video snippet.

Providing how-tos, guides, and FAQs are great ways to show up in voice search results, as you are able to provide quality content while addressing common answers to question-based queries on voice search. We’ve had a positive experience in utilizing knowledge graphs for service-based businesses, giving users actionable processes and quick bits of information that they will find very useful. Keep in mind of Google’s E-A-T guidelines as well, as this will make a difference in what kind of content would be showing up in voice search results.

Aiming for these positions in search rankings can be a challenge but getting featured means more traffic going to your site, and your content is considered as a reliable and helpful source by Google.

Optimize Local Search Results

Asking for directions or nearby locations on Google make up a good amount of search queries on any form of search, which makes local SEO optimization a great way to find your business. Using geotagged keywords, along with optimizing your Google My Business listing allow you to show up in local SERPs and Google Maps, in turn showing up in voice search.

Voice search provides users with the convenience locating nearby locations using a single question or inquiry, and like your web pages showing up in featured snippets and knowledge graphs, having your business listed bodes well for your traffic. For example, adding a geotagged keyword like “SEO Company Philippines” allows you to show up in search listings for companies related to the same industry. Local SEO voice search has been greatly improved over the past few years and making use of it allows you to be found by Google search much easier.

Key Takeaway

Voice search on Google has developed into a reliable search platform that is able to guide users to the best and most accurate search results using a single command or question. With these strategies, you would be able to craft content that not only ranks well in regular SERPs but also capitalize on the rising number of voice search queries.

If you have questions and inquiries about voice search or SEO in general, leave a comment below and let’s talk.